Joslin Smith’s case: Kidnapping crisis in SA highlighted

According to Missing Children SA more than 1 300 kidnappings are reported monthly to the police. This is a very alarming statistic. The recent disappearance of Joshlin Smith in Saldanha Bay has raised new awareness and closer attention to the issue.

Shocking statistics

Bianca van Aswegen, the National Coordinator of Missing Children SA, stated that over 1 300 cases of abducted children and adults are reported to the police each month and this number is on the increase. There has been a significant increase in kidnappings targeting children from wealthy families for ransom money. According to Van Aswegen, “money is quite at the forefront when it comes to any crime”. She added that Missing Children SA sees many parental kidnappings, opportunistic kidnappings, and human trafficking cases. Kidnappings for ransom account for only 5% of the cases. However, this translates to kidnappers taking two people daily in the country.

Cases of kidnappings reported to the police have increased by 260% in the country over the past 10 years, according to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023 (October to December 2023) showed that kidnappings in SA have increased by 11% year-on-year to a total of 4 577 cases over the period. That translates to roughly 51 kidnappings daily in South Africa, according to Business Tech.

Situation is even worse than we think

It is important to note that these figures pertain to reported kidnappings. Fear of the kidnappers’ reactions prevents people from reporting many kidnapping-for-ransom cases. “What’s worse is there are likely many more that have not been reported to the police in fear of retaliation from the kidnappers,” said ISS project manager Lizette Lancaster.

Where are SA’s kidnapping hotspots?

Gauteng holds the top spot for kidnappings compared to other provinces in SA. Of the 30 kidnapping hotspot areas identified across the country, 23 (77%) are in Gauteng.

The top five hotspot areas are:

1. Moroka – Johannesburg
2. Loate – Tshwane
3. Orange Farms – Sedibeng
4. Tembisa – Ekurhuleni
5. Umlazi – eThekwini